For every girl who was told she couldn’t — P.T. Usha, Sania Mirza, Nikhat Zareen & Avani Lekhara did.
This special edition of ELLE Impact celebrates four powerhouse athletes who’ve not only brought glory to India but have also reshaped the narrative around what it means to “run like a girl.”
Shot across Delhi and Mumbai, this campaign includes a motion cover, editorial visuals, a behind-the-scenes glimpse, and a rapid-fire video with the cover stars. From Olympic fields to boxing rings, tennis courts to shooting ranges — these women are living proof that resilience, grace, and grit can co-exist.
TEAM
Editor-in-Chief: Ainee Nizami Ahmedi [@aineenizamiahmedi]
Director/DP: Akshay Pawar [@akshaypawar.95]
Video Editor: Siddharth Seelaboyina
Jr. Fashion Stylist: Tejashree Raul [@tejashreeraul]
Asst. Art Director: Alekha Chugani [@alekhachuganii]
Hair & Makeup:
– Shivani Joshi [@sculpt.ing] rep. by feat. Artists (P.T. Usha, Avani Lekhara)
– Susan Emmanuel [@susanemmanuelhairstylist], Ajay Vishwasrao [@ajayvrao721] (Sania Mirza)
– Pooja Dhakaan [@pooja_dhakaan1], Shriya Saxena [@kira.meki_] (Nikhat Zareen)
– Chan Murry [@makeup_by_chan_m] (HMUA for Usha & Avani)
Words: Ekta Sinha [@16ektasinha]
Bookings Coordinator: Anushka Patil [@anushkapatil21]
Styling Assistants: Idris Nidham [@iidrrisss], Sanjana Dhawan [@stylebysanjanaa]
Production:
– Nikhat Zareen & Sania Mirza: Gravity Grace Productions [Gravity Grace Productions]
– P.T. Usha & Avani Lekhara: IKP | Imran Khatri [@ikp.insta]
Artist Reputation Management:
– Sportwise India [Sportwise India] (P.T. Usha & Avani Lekhara)
– Think Talkies [@think_talkies] (Sania Mirza)
– Baseline Ventures [ @baselineventures] (Nikhat Zareen)
Location Courtesy: The Claridges Hotels Private Limited New Delhi [@theclaridgesnewdelhi]
Wardrobe & Accessories:
P.T. Usha – Urvashi Kaur | Isharya
Nikhat Zareen – hiroshop.in | e3kjewelry
Sania Mirza – Lovebirds Studio | Batoki.
Avani Lekhara – akaaro | Amama Jewels | radhika agrawal studio
Editor-in-Chief: Ainee Nizami Ahmedi [@aineenizamiahmedi]
Director/DP: Akshay Pawar [@akshaypawar.95]
Video Editor: Siddharth Seelaboyina
Jr. Fashion Stylist: Tejashree Raul [@tejashreeraul]
Asst. Art Director: Alekha Chugani [@alekhachuganii]
Hair & Makeup:
– Shivani Joshi [@sculpt.ing] rep. by feat. Artists (P.T. Usha, Avani Lekhara)
– Susan Emmanuel [@susanemmanuelhairstylist], Ajay Vishwasrao [@ajayvrao721] (Sania Mirza)
– Pooja Dhakaan [@pooja_dhakaan1], Shriya Saxena [@kira.meki_] (Nikhat Zareen)
– Chan Murry [@makeup_by_chan_m] (HMUA for Usha & Avani)
Words: Ekta Sinha [@16ektasinha]
Bookings Coordinator: Anushka Patil [@anushkapatil21]
Styling Assistants: Idris Nidham [@iidrrisss], Sanjana Dhawan [@stylebysanjanaa]
Production:
– Nikhat Zareen & Sania Mirza: Gravity Grace Productions [Gravity Grace Productions]
– P.T. Usha & Avani Lekhara: IKP | Imran Khatri [@ikp.insta]
Artist Reputation Management:
– Sportwise India [Sportwise India] (P.T. Usha & Avani Lekhara)
– Think Talkies [@think_talkies] (Sania Mirza)
– Baseline Ventures [ @baselineventures] (Nikhat Zareen)
Location Courtesy: The Claridges Hotels Private Limited New Delhi [@theclaridgesnewdelhi]
Wardrobe & Accessories:
P.T. Usha – Urvashi Kaur | Isharya
Nikhat Zareen – hiroshop.in | e3kjewelry
Sania Mirza – Lovebirds Studio | Batoki.
Avani Lekhara – akaaro | Amama Jewels | radhika agrawal studio
